INTRODUCTION

This R Notebook and its related R scripts provide an introduction to the COVIDMINDER application, which you can find at:

The github repository for all the code required for this notebook, including a snapshot of the COVIDMINDER application, can be found at:

The COVIDMINDER github repository can be found at:

HOW TO USE THIS NOTEBOOK AND REPOSITORY

We’re asking those who wish to participate in this excercise to clone the github repository, create a personal branch, and make additions to the repository by creating new, customized notebooks. The general procedure is as follows:

Please also see this handy github “cheatsheet”: https://education.github.com/git-cheat-sheet-education.pdf

UNDERSTANDING THE DATA

WHAT SHOULD I WORK ON?!?!?

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR NOTEBOOK

EXPLANATION OF VISUALIZATIONS:

The goal of these visualizations is to examine nationwide disparities in COVID-19 factors having to do with risks, mediations (e.g. testing, hospital beds), and outcomes (e.g. deaths, cases). A common measure, the disparity index is used to represent the difference between the observed rate in the state and some baseline rate.

The advantage of the disparity index is that represents how far off a target standard the observed rate is.

Mathematically, DI = log(x/y) or DI = log(y/x) depending upon whether being above or below the target is preferred.

 

How do COVID-19 mortality rates compare across the United States?

This map compares the COVID-19 mortality rates of individual states with the US rate. This map is updated daily.

Here, shades of red indicate that a state’s COVID-19 mortality rate is higher than the US rate

Data source: JHU daily reports (04-07-2020)

How do COVID-19 testing rates across the US compare with South Korea?

This map compares rates of COVID-19 tssting in US states vs South Korea’s testing rate. This map is updated daily.

Here, shades of red indicate that a state’s testing rate is lower than the South Korean rate

Data source: The COVID Tracking Project daily reports (04-07-2020)

How do cardiovascular mortality rates across the US compare with the national average?

The map compares individual state mortality rates related to cardiovascular diseases (per 100k) with the US rate. In recent literature, COVID-19 risk has been linked to certain cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. This map uses recent historical figures.

Here, shades of red indicate that a state’s mortality rate from total cardiovascular diseases is higher than the US rate

Data source:
CDC (2017)

How does the availability of hospital beds across the United States compare with Italy?

This map compares the availability of hospital beds in US states vs the rate in Italy (3.2 beds/1000). This map uses recent historical figures and does not reflect ‘surge’ capacity.

Here, shades of red indicate that a state’s hospital bed availablity is lower than the rate in Italy

Data sources:
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Kaiser Family Foundation

How do COVID-19 mortality rates compare across New York State?

This map compares the COVID-19 mortality rates of NY counties with the NY average. This map is updated daily.

Here, shades of red indicate that a county’s COVID-19 mortality rate is higher than the NY rate.
Data source: JHU daily reports (04-06-2020)

How do COVID-19 cases compare across New York State?

This map compares the COVID-19 cases for NY counties with the NY average. This map is updated daily.

Here, shades of red indicate that a county’s COVID-19 case count is higher than the NY rate.
Data source: JHU daily reports (04-06-2020)

How have COVID-19 cases increased across New York State?

This plot shows the growth of COVID-19 cases across NY counties since early 2020. This data is updated daily.

Mouse over the plot to identify individual counties.
Data source: JHU daily reports (04-06-2020)